Alice Winter, year one class teacher: “It’s a lovely school with lovely children and it’s nice to have a school that’s all about the children rather than policies. I had my placement in this school and fell in love with it. It’s the best job in the world really.”

Fran Waters, higher level teaching assistant and former Sylvan pupil said: “It’s a great atmosphere. Once you get inside the building it’s very bright and colourful and the children are happy. Every class has a teaching assistant.”

Harry Reynolds, eight: “I like Sylvan because they teach us maths. They give us hard questions. And I like it that if someone’s sad, the Playground Pals can go up to them and ask if they want to play with them and make them happy.”

Lucy Stagg, eight: “I like learning and the trips you go on – like the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne. I like the ‘golden rules’ – to be honest, to listen, to look after property, not hurt someone else’s feelings, to be kind and gentle.”

Claire Lynch, mother of four-year-old Kaci, said: “She really loves it at Sylvan First School. It’s always good, positive things when she comes home and tells Mum what she’s been doing at school.”

Claire Donnelly, mum of five-year-old Harry, said: “He loves school. He’s very happy there. I can’t believe all the things he’s learning. The head teacher seems to run the school really well and all the parent groups have a lot of support.”